Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox Windows PC + Video Guide

In this article you will learn how to install macOS Catalina 10.15on VirtualBox on Windows 10PC. macOS Catalina is the latest version of mac operating system released by apple. Further, with the recent Catalina update there is paramount improvement on operating system. There are cool new features, fresh new app and powerful new technology. Therefore, testing and working on macOS Catalina is fun as well amazing experience. Moreover, you should understand and learn all the new feature before actually installing that on MacBook or iMac. You have to install that on virtual machine. For example, we are going to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox on Windows 10 PC. Further, we will take you on all the steps where you should easily install the mac operating system.

Install macOS 10.15 Catalina on VirtualBox

Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox Windows 10

There are different methods to install macOS 10.15 Catalina on Windows operating system. However, the most reliable and easy method is to install it on virtual machine. Virtual machine has many advantages. For example you don’t need actual Mac machine to test Mac operating system. Therefore, you will create a virtual environment and install and test the operating system before diving into it.

Similarly, there are two virtual machine for Windows 10. The first one is VirtualBox. The second one is VMware. These both virtual machine work great while installing macOS on Windows. There is no quite difference. However, most people used to VirtualBox and vice versa.

However, This tutorial we will particularly install Catalina on VirualBox. But, if you want to install that in VMware machine. Then you have to concern it There.

Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox Video

To installing macOS Catalina on VirtualBox. Then watch the video below. Where I will take you on all steps visually. Therefore, you will not face any problem to install macOS Catalina.

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How to Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox

Let’s instlal macOS catalina on VirtualBox. However, we need different software and file to download. Therefore, i will show comprehensive guide where you can understand which files and software you required. Further, from where you have to download all there files.

VirtualBox and Extension Pack

First you need to download VirtualBox. VirutalBox is virtualization program where you can install different operating system including Linux, Windows and macOS etc. Therefore, If you want to install all operating system on one machine. You can easily do that with VirtualBox.

Therefore, saying that VirtualBox is complete new operating system. As you may consider buying new Machine. Therefore, it is one of the best way to get one high configure machine and install as much as operating system on virtual machine as you want.

Further, VirtualBox integrate both operating system on single machine. Where you share and transfer file between both operating system. Therefore, to install macOS Catalina on virtualBox will give you pre experience to understand and learn about new features of operating system. Therefore, to enjoy the latest variation and new feature on your old machine. Even it doesn’t support is like a dreams come true.

finally, the new system USB will only support USB 3.0. However, if you install VirtualBox Extension Pack. Then it will fix the problem. Therefore, then you will be able to connect to the VirtualBox using USB 3.0 as well.

Download VirtualBox

Install VirtualBox on Windows 10

Once you have downloaded the VirtualBox on your Windows 10. Then you have to install that by following the steps below.

Step 1. When you will open the Oracle VM VirtualBox Setup. It will open a step us wizard. Therefore, the first page which you will see is Welcome Page. Therefore, you Only click on the button Next.

Step 2. Further, in second page you will get a information where you should install the software. However, you should remember that it requires at least 169MB of free space on hard drive. Therefore, once you have select the location for the virtualBox. Then you have to click on Next.

Step 3. Similarly, next page will display to select the way you want features to be installed. There are option like

Create Start Menu entries

Create shortcut on the desktop

Register file associations.

Create shortcut in the Quick Launch Bar

There are checkbox in front of each option. Therefore, you have to select according to your requirement and then Press Next.

Step 4. In this steps. It will ask about to install the Oracle VM VirualBox Networking Features. Therefore, simply click on Yes.

Step 5. Finally, the step is ready to begin. Therefore, you have to click on Install. The installation will start. Then you have to wait for the moment until installation finishes.
In between it may ask about User Account Control. It means the VirtualBox needs permission to run the application windows. Therefore, you have to click on Yes.

Now you are ready to start and run the VirtualBox Machine.

Install VirtualBox Extension Pack

Now it is time to install VirtualBox Extension pack. For that you have to download the extension from the link below.

Download macOS Catalina Image

Configure VirtualBox

Once you have successfully install VirtualBox on Windows 10. Now you are ready to to configure the perfect setting to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox.

When you will open VirtualBox. There is a New Button on the top left corner. Therefore, You have to click on It. Then a wizard page will open. Which will take you to all other setting. Therefore, with the help of this wizard page. You can easily understand complete procedure without any problem. However, I will also take you on each page and give you proper guide.

New in VirtualBoxTherefore, you have to follow the steps below for the configuration.

Step 1. MacOS Name: Catalina

On the first page you will see Name and operating system. Therefore, there are information like

Name: Here you have to write the name of the Operating system. For example I will write macOS Catalina.

Type: As you know that the type of operating system is Mac OS. Therefore, you have to select from the drop down menu Mac OS X.

Version: You may or may not see the current version of mac operating system. However, don’t worry about that. You should select the version like macOS High Sierra 64-bit. But, remember i will complete work fine while. You will install macOS Catalina.

Once you have complete all these field. Then you have to click on Next.

Step 2. Memory Size

I the second page you will have to properly select the memory size of the new macOS Catalina operating system. Remember that this memory is for RAM. Therefore, you have to select the half (50%) of your complete memory to the VirtualBox. Because, once you will install the operating system. Then you will find that it will run without any lag. Therefore, if you want the macOS Catalina run smoothly. Then, you must have complete of 16GB of ram and share 8GB to VirtualBox.

Memory SizeAfter, you have selected the half of the memory. Then you have to click on Next.

Step 3. Hard Disk Selection

In this page you have to select the Hard Disk. There are three options.

Do not add a virtual hard disk

Create a virtual Hard disk now

Use an existing virtual hard disk file.

We are going to select the Use an existing virtual hard disk file. As you have already download the macOS Catalina vmdk file. Therefore, you have to select that and click on Create. However, remember that you window machine must have minimum of 20GB free space on hard disk.

macOS Catalina VirtualBox Setting

Once you have successfully configured virtaulbox. Now it is the time to change and more setting after creating virtualbox. Therefore, follow the steps below.

Step 1: Setting

On virtualBox left side you will see the operating system Catalina which you have recently created. You have to select it. Then click on Setting.

Step 2: System Setting

There are many setting. On the left side you will see some setting information. However, first you have to click System. Further, you will find different other configuration for the system.

Make sure you have selected MotherBoard. Then follow the steps below.

The the Optical.

Select Hard Disk

Chipset should be ICH9

Pointing Device must be USB Tablet

Extended Features:

Select Enable I/O APIC

Enable EFI (special OSes only)

Select Hardware Clock in UTC Time

Now you have to select Processor tab. Then following configuration.

Processor: It should be half (50%) of your complete core

Execution Cap: Take the roller to 100%

Extended Features: Make sure to check Enable PAE/NX

Step 3: Display

Similarly, you have to select Display on left hand side menu. Then you will find different configurations.

Video memory: You have to take the roller to maxium. In my case i have selected 128MB.

Monitor: It should be 1

Sacale Factor: It should be 100%

Acceleration: Let the 2D and 3D video Acceleration uncheck.

Step 4: Storage

On the storage tab you have to make sure that Use Host I/O Cache is selected.

Add code to VirtualBox with Command Prompt

You have almost completed every single setting. However, there is only one more modification. Where you can edit and ready for the installation.

For the editing the file you have to open the command prompt. Remember before starting command prompt. You are to close VirtualBox. Further, your have to write CMD on search box. Then you will get command prompt icon right click on it and click on “Run as administrator”.

Run as adminitrator CMD

When the command prompt opens. Then you can write one by one each of the commands in below. Moreover, remember that change “Your VM Name” with your Virtual Machine Name which you have name it while configuring.

Install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox

Further, open VirtualBox and click on Start. When VirtualBox will start, you will see UEFI Interactive Shell. Then you have to press ESC button. Now you have to type the following code in shell and press Enter. Remember, you have to write that without quotation.

“install.nsh”

UEFI Interactive Shell

Its time to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox. Everything is configured and you are ready to install the macOS Catalina operating system. Follow the steps below for installing macOS Catalina on VirtualBox.

1. Click on the created VirtualBox. And it will start. Furhter, after sometime when everything will load then the first screen will appears. It is the welcome screen. And it will ask about your country. Therefore, select a country and press on Continue.

macOS 10.14 Mojave Welcome Screen

2. Next screen will ask you about to Choose a keyboard layout. Select U.S and click on Continue.

Select Keyboard

3. In this screen you will ask about the Data and Privacy. Therefore, read it carefully and the click on Continue.

Data & Privacy

4. Further, this wizard will ask you about Transfer Information to This Mac. It will ask that how do you want to transfer your information? Check the box on Don’t transfer any information now. and click on continue.

Transfer information to This Mac

5. At this stage, it will ask you about your Apple ID. As you know that with the help ID you can use many feature of macOS. Therefore, if you have any apple ID enter it. But, for you I will select Set UP Later and click on Continue.

Sign in With Your Apple ID

6. Finally, it will ask about Term and conditions. Simply click on Agree.

Term and Conditions

7. Create A computer Account. Fill out the following information to create your computer account.

Full Name: Write you name.

Account Name: It will select automatically.

Password: write your password to log in in your mac. There password may be thing. Further, write same password in verify too.

Hint: write something memorable about your password. When you forget your password. The the hint will help you to find it back.

Finally, Press on Continue.

Create a Computer Account

8. on the page of Express Set Up just click on Continue.

Express Set Up

Congratulation you have done great job. Now it is time to explose macOS catalina on VirtualBox on Windows 10.

How to fix macOS Catalina Screen Resolution

When you are going to install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox. You have to configure screen resolution. By default, there is no screen resolution setting on VirtualBox. Therefore, you have to follow How to Fix macOS Catalina Screen Resolution on VirtualBox. Then you will be able to change the screen resolution anytime.

Conclusion: I hope you have successfully install macOS Catalina on VirtualBox. However, if you find any problem then you can write in comment box below. We will be more then happy to help you. Thank you.

About The Author

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54 Comments

Ali Hussaini

Jason Childers

Mazil Khatib

Installation is not starting it is showing boot.efi is not recognized as internal or external command,operable program or srcipt file

June 20, 2019

João Graça

i need help the installation is not starting is showing boot.efi is not recognized as internal or external command,operable program or srcipt file

July 2, 2019

Huyen

I have the same error, have you know how to fix it yet. Could you let me know please

July 28, 2019

Lemon Tree

For the boot.efi errror, I have experienced the same. The fix is running the list of command mentioned in section “Code for VirtualBox 5.X” or “Code for VirtualBox 4.X” (remember to change to the name of your VirtualImage’s name.

October 31, 2019

Jitendra Ruley

hi…
dear sir i have 4gb ram and core i3 4th generation
so can i able install this os on pc or not please reply.

June 27, 2019

Ty

followed to the tee and keep getting errors

July 3, 2019

Jason Childers

Hello,

I have installed macOS Catalina perfectly fine. The only thing I struggle with now is using the drag and drop feature.

I am trying to create an application using xcode, but if I cannot drag and drop there is really nothing I can do.

I have additionally looked up solutions on the internet, but all of the solutions start with devices/Insert Guest Additions CD image. The problem is, when I click “Insert Guest Additions CD image.” I get the error “Unable to insert the virtual optical disk C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\VBoxGuestAdditions.iso into the machine macOS Catalina.

Result Code:
E_FAIL (0x80004005)

Component:
ConsoleWrap”

Please give me any solutions to this problem that you can. Thank you for your time.

July 15, 2019

Shiar Ahmed

It installed perfect but the mac has no internet connection, why?

July 26, 2019

Kylan

Hello, i fixed this problem by restarting the VM and closing Virtual Box. When i booted back up, the internet connection just worked. I hope this works for you to. Thank you!

February 27, 2020

Maurice Cliq

Hi,
After entering “install.nsh” the file unwinds and remains blocked on the “boot.efi” command.
Despite several complete attempts at installations, the screen still remains frozen at this stage…

Brian

I have successfully installed the MacOS in a virtual machine using VirtualBox and everything seems to be working fine with one exception. I am not able to move any of the Mac application windows. When try to resize them or move then there is no response. Has anyone else had this issue and if so, is there a fix?

August 3, 2019

yuvraj

After entering “install.nsh” the file unwinds and remains on the “boot.efi” command.
the screen remains frozen at this stage…

August 4, 2019

Gary wartz

add the following lines in CMD

cd “C:\Program Files\Oracle\VirtualBox\”

VBoxManage modifyvm “Your VM Name” –cpu-profile “Intel Core i7-6700K

replace Your VM Name with the name of your virtual machine

September 25, 2019

Philippe

Hello
If you are stuck on the “boot.efi” command, it comes from the AMD processors.
You have to add the following line to the lines of code:
VBoxManage modifyvm “Your VM Name” –cpu-profile “Intel Core i7-6700K”

doug

This fixes the stuck on “boot.efi” for AMD cpu devices. But that last command needs two hyphens not one before “cpu-profile” to work for me.

January 13, 2020

Normand

What is the correct cpuidset values for VirtualBox 6.x ?

Thanks

February 14, 2020

yuvraj

hi,
after install.nsh command is complete
it display apple logo and shows 29 minutes
to install but after few seconds it shows error A disk with a mount point is required(-69854)

August 7, 2019

Chuck Deranleau

Hi,
Install went well up to the where I should:

Now you have to type the following code in shell and press Enter. Remember, you have to write that without quotation. “install.nsh”.

When I copy install.nsh and try to insert it into the mac virtual window, when I lose my cursor. It disappears and I must hit Ctrl right side to get it back again.
Any ideas?
Thank you for all your work.

August 10, 2019

Gary wartz

hello ! thank you for this beautiful tutorial
everything went well except that i have no sound that works in the catalina virtual machine

September 25, 2019

Sam

I am stuck at “Attempting system restart ..” . It does not go past it. Any advice ?

September 25, 2019

Joe

“install.nsh is not recognized as an internal or external command operable program, or script file.”

Ondrej

Adam

I started again from the beginning and got further. I think the RAM is too small. I will extend this and try again.

October 13, 2019

Rich

Install went well:-) thanks for the well documented install write up.

One issue, I think. Update came up and I went ahead and updated Catalina. Catalina keeps telling me that there is an update available even though I already went through the update process 3 times. How many times do I need to update Catalina or is this a bug/issue? Do I need to do something else to update Catalina successfully?

October 15, 2019

stavros

Hassan Chebbani

You skipped the part that shows the internet connection setup. They won’t allow to use wifi just ethernet or don’t connect to the internet (even after finishing the setup, the network settings in the system preferences won’t allow me to use wifi) why is that? Plus the sound issue still remains there’s no sound at all and tried lots of methods online but none work so can you fix the problem please or offer some kind of support???

October 25, 2019

Michael

Did you ever find a solution? (I’m having the same issue.)

November 19, 2019

Rajeesh Raveendran

hi thanks for the tutorial. i could successfully install catalina in virtualbox. But i cannot drag any window in mac(can click and open). can you please tell me why? i already installed the virtualbox extension.

November 28, 2019

Ashukambojz

when 1 shell:> install.nsh enters
Then 2 install.nsh is not recognized as an intarnal or external command, operable program,or script file.
How we solve this

December 6, 2019

Bob

Ashukambojz: You need to have VirtualBox Boot.vmdk still attached to boot from, or you’ll get that error. Did you accidentally remove it when you ejected Catalina.iso?

December 8, 2019

dmit

I have this problem to. did you solved?

March 18, 2020

Dhruv Jain

Sir , I am unable to sign in the mac . It is showing my password incorrect but I have checked on apple id website that my password is correct. Please help me to fix this issue

December 24, 2019

Dhruv Jain

Sir should I update the macos ?

December 24, 2019

Dhruv Jain

Sir how to enable drag and drop

December 25, 2019

Frank

Hi All, I got vm installed properly in virtualbox, however the resolution supports only 1024×768, and seamless mode of virtualbox is disabled even with virtualboxaddon installed, any idea?

January 9, 2020

robado

Hi,
I followed the instruction but when i boot up the virtual macOS i dont get a chance to press ESC or the ESC doesnt do anything and it keeps doing stuff and after like 20 mins it just freezes.

Ondrej

same as for 5.x

February 15, 2020

Dmitriy

Installed MacOS Catalina 10.15 Beta (In this topic ISO Image with this version of MacOS) crushes every 15-20 minutes. I tried to update with stable version 10.15.4, but it can’t to update, because it not so very fast process (time limit to update 15-20 minutes left). Besides I connect Mac Mouse by Bluetooth to VM, because I want to use multiple fullscreen apps.
panic(cpu 2 caller 0xffffff800aeb0c22): “attempting to register a sysctl at previously registered slot : 101″@/BuildRoot/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/xnu/xny-6041.0.0.111.5/bsd/kern/kern_newsysctl.c:250

March 6, 2020

Deepak kumar

Looking for a solution since 2 days. Thanks, buddy. You helped me a lot.

March 15, 2020

Jack Ruele

Hi

After Starting the VM, I get this error =>
[BdsDxe: failed to load Boot0001 “UEFI VBOX CD-ROM VB1-1a2b3c4d” from PciRoot (0x0)/ Pci (0x1F,0x2)/Sata(0x1,0xFFF,0X0) : Not Found]

How can i go about fixing this?

March 26, 2020

Ryan

Same error here.
Any fix on this?
I have VirtualBox 6.1.4, with the latest extension pack.

Previously, I had 6.0.12 and ended up stuck after install.nsh (boot.efi).

Please help…

April 10, 2020

Hasan

Hi Jack!!

I am encoutering the same problem please assure me if you have found the solution.

April 9, 2020

steve

I cant get past the Install .nsh line it says Install is not recognized as an internal or external command

April 15, 2020

Purushotham Gowda

i am getting error script error…. unsupported (line number 5)

May 7, 2020

Allie

when I ran install.nsh, I got error such as ‘FS1:\macOS Install Data’ is not a directory. Then it hang on – boot.efi not recognized problem. I am using windows 10, intel core i5. I have tried the original code for virtualBox 5X, then I added this line ‘VBoxManage modifyvm “macOS Catalina” -–cpu-profile “Intel Core i7-6700K”. Neither way worked. All stopped at boot.efi not recognized issue. Could you please help?